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MIKE ZEISBERGER, QMI Agency

Sep 25, 2012

, Last Updated: 1:40 AM ET

Down in sunbaked Oklahoma City, where the NBA's Thunder and college football reign supreme, superstar hoopster Kevin Durant need not worry about the images of Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins replacing his own mug on splashy billboards around town.

On the surface, that should be obvious. Hockey will never usurp hoops and pigskin on the sporting radar in those parts.

At the same time, the scheduled arrival of Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins to the American heartland for the opening of the Oklahoma City Barons training camp next weekend has seemingly caused a bit of chatter around the city, according to Barons general manager Bill Scott.

"Whether you are getting a hair cut or at the grocery store, there is a noticeable buzz about those guys coming to the team," Scott told QMI Agency Monday from Oklahoma City. "Fans here are aware of (the parent) Edmonton Oilers and who these guys are."

While Scott does not "see those guys having an impact on season ticket sales," he does anticipate a spike in walkup ticket sales thanks in part to the presence of Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins. Ideas also are being kicked around on how to use the two budding Edmonton Oilers stars in various promotional campaigns with the Barons.

In the end, the Barons are just one example of how the NHL's work stoppage is helping AHL teams, especially with parent clubs sending down budding stars such as Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, Carolina's Jeff Skinner, New Jersey's Adam Henrique and Washington playoff hero Braden Holtby.

Truth be told, the NHL's pain is the AHL's reluctant gain. AHL commissioner Dave Andrews will be the first to tell you that.

In an ideal world, Andrews and his league would love to see the NHL running on all cylinders for the good of the sport and its public image.

At the same time, Andrews and his league have been through this before.

Eight years ago, during the previous NHL lockout, the influx of young talent sent to the AHL by parent clubs included Eric Staal, Mike Richards, Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Miller, Dustin Brown, Jason Spezza and Cam Ward. Staal, Richards, Bergeron, Brown and Miller all went on to compete for their respective countries at the 2010 Winter Olympics, while Spezza and Ward have become upper-echelon players in the NHL.

"There are for sure mirror images this time around of what we went through in 2004-05," Andrews said from AHL headquarters in Springfield, Mass. "At that time, we saw a lot of players come back to our league like is happening now.

"We valued every one of those guys. We viewed it as a positive. So did the players. They told people afterwards that their careers advanced because of their AHL experience."

Staal certainly feels that way.

"You have to make the most of it and that's what I tried to do," Staal told the Raleigh News and Observer. "Looking back, it benefited me. It was being put in situations where I could succeed -- being put on the power play, penalty kill, first-line minutes.

"Just that pressure to succeed, that pressure to be counted on every game."

According to Andrews, AHL ticket sales increased by "6 to 7%" during the 04-05 NHL lockout. But the real impact, he claims, came in the form of "a lot more media exposure and television coverage."

To that end, the AHL announced last week that it had completed a new five-year deal with Sportsnet.

"If we are perceived to be the top league in North America while the NHL is shut down, we respect that," Andrews said.

Back in Oklahoma City, the excitement for the new season is building, thanks in part to the presence of Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins.

"We want to try as much as we are allowed to integrate them into the community," Bob Funk, the CEO of the parent company that operates the Barons, said Monday evening.

Of course, the two young Oilers aren't the only reason for excitement down there.

It seems the Barons are going to give away 12 cars during various home games this season.

That's a enticing drawing card, no matter if Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins are in the lineup or not.

Three Early Season AHL Games That Intrigue Us ...

Oct. 13: Hershey @ Syracuse

When goaltender Brayden Holtby last played a meaningful game, he was with the Washington Capitals facing the New York Rangers at MSG during the NHL playoffs in May. Let's see if he is still on his game, this time for Hershey.

Oct. 19: San Antonio @ Oklahoma City.

Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are scheduled to play their first home game for the Barons. Not only that, the Barons are giving away a car at the game.

Oct. 26: Adirondack Phantoms @ Albany Devils

Less than five months ago, Adam Henrique was facing off against Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier during the Devils-Flyers playoff series. Now they're slated to meet again, albeit on a far smaller stage.